David Cameron has set out the red lines for any future coalition negotiations by issuing an "absolutely" cast-iron guarantee that he will stage a referendum on Britain's membership of the European Union.

The Prime Minister insisted he will not return to No 10 unless he can secure an agreement that the in/out vote will go ahead in 2017.

As voters prepare to go the polls for the European Parliament elections later this month, the Conservative leader insisted he is "confident" he could renegotiate the UK's relationship with Brussels.

But he pledged the referendum would go ahead even if his plan to bring back powers first fails, and said he would not " sit on the fence" over whether to recommend voting Yes or No in the event of an unsuccessful bid.

Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, he said: "I've said very clearly that whatever the outcome of the next election, and of course I want an overall majority and I'm hoping and believing I can win an overall majority, but people should be in no doubt I will not become Prime Minister unless I can guarantee that we will hold that referendum.

"I won't become Prime Minister unless I can guarantee that that in/out referendum will be held."

Asked if he could give a "cast-iron guarantee" that any government he led would stage a referendum within two years, the PM replied: "Absolutely."

He added: "We have the referendum whether or not I have successfully negotiated."

Mr Cameron said the "most important" change he wanted to secure was reform to get Britain out of a clause on an ever closer union.

He also wants to renegotiate powers over border control, crack down on benefit tourism, secure more trade and have greater control over justice and home affairs.

"I would like to see longer periods in terms of before you are allowed to claim any benefits," he added.

"Let's look at what is possible but certainly what is longer than what we have today."

The Prime Minister said free movement within the EU is "important", but insisted it "needs to be returned to the original concept, which was the freedom to be able to go and work in another country".

Polling has indicated the UK Independence Party will come first in the UK's European Parliament results, with the Conservatives pushed into a humiliating third place.

He told BBC One's Sunday Politics: "He has difficulty being believed because five years ago I sat here talking to you about the European elections and you put to me 'well it's going to be very difficult Nigel for people to vote Ukip because Mr Cameron has given a cast-iron guarantee that if he becomes Prime Minister next year he'll have a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty'.

"He didn't deliver on that and he knows that people struggle to believe firstly that he will get a majority, and secondly that the renegotiation is actually worth a row of beans."

Mr Farage added: "He is desperately trying to pretend to be a Eurosceptic whilst at the same time saying whatever the results of all of this he will campaign for Britain to remain in."

Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander said: "David Cameron has now admitted that his negotiations with Europe could fail, but he won't accept the consequences of what this could mean for Britain.

"He can't say what reforms he wants to deliver, he can't say what he would do if he isn't successful, and now we know he can't even say how he will vote in a referendum.

"David Cameron seems willing to let the UK sleep-walk out of Europe altogether simply to stop his Eurosceptic backbenchers walking out on him.

"He is now too weak to deliver real change in Europe, because instead of trying to negotiate with other European leaders, he's spent too much time negotiating with his own backbenchers."

Along with 150.000 other members of the party -left it when he was made 'leader'. Untruthful, inept and who am I to argue with his professor at university - David is confused' - nice way of saying dim. Writ large 'here be traps' and yet he still falls headlong into them - as he plummets down we hear - 'I get it'. A failed PR man - can you imagine failing at PR? However, his pet LIbDem is a tad worse than useless. Miliband is not 'cutting the mustard' either. UKIP - will not win anything of import - but they can make history if they make the old parties remember that they are our servants not our masters.

Along with 150.000 other members of the party -left it when he was made 'leader'. Untruthful, inept and who am I to argue with his professor at university - David is confused' - nice way of saying dim. Writ large 'here be traps' and yet he still falls headlong into them - as he plummets down we hear - 'I get it'. A failed PR man - can you imagine failing at PR? However, his pet LIbDem is a tad worse than useless. Miliband is not 'cutting the mustard' either. UKIP - will not win anything of import - but they can make history if they make the old parties remember that they are our servants not our masters.skeptik

"Mr Clifton-Brown said he felt the number of immigrants coming to work in the United Kingdom through ‘free movement’ was too high and that policy needed to be changed."

The threat of Ukip was also raised, which prompted some critical comments from Mrs Girling who continued to say that she did not want to get drawn into that topic as she wanted the debate to remain positive.

Hilarious they are all in total denial .......Finally an admission from Clifton-Brown on uncontrolled immigration and Julie Girling like a true card carrying member of the EUSSR wanting to close down discussion on the only party that will end this theft of Democracy. Get your expenses in now in Julie because you will not be able to claim any after May 22nd......

"Mr Clifton-Brown said he felt the number of immigrants coming to work in the United Kingdom through ‘free movement’ was too high and that policy needed to be changed."
The threat of Ukip was also raised, which prompted some critical comments from Mrs Girling who continued to say that she did not want to get drawn into that topic as she wanted the debate to remain positive.
Hilarious they are all in total denial .......Finally an admission from Clifton-Brown on uncontrolled immigration and Julie Girling like a true card carrying member of the EUSSR wanting to close down discussion on the only party that will end this theft of Democracy. Get your expenses in now in Julie because you will not be able to claim any after May 22nd......Col Mustard

I feel a number of voters are missing the point here. The up and coming elections is about voting for European representatives and some local Councillors. It is not about voting for a Government in a General Election.
This is an opportunity by all to make a point to government, that the rank and file of the general public is not a pushover.
Having the system balanced out in this way is right and fair, along with a coalition administration.
They have to remember that they work for us, not we work for them and moments like this when their backsides are twitching, is a chance for us to pull the reins back on them a little.
A UKIP swing in the up and coming election, will send a message to Cameron

I feel a number of voters are missing the point here. The up and coming elections is about voting for European representatives and some local Councillors. It is not about voting for a Government in a General Election.
This is an opportunity by all to make a point to government, that the rank and file of the general public is not a pushover.
Having the system balanced out in this way is right and fair, along with a coalition administration.
They have to remember that they work for us, not we work for them and moments like this when their backsides are twitching, is a chance for us to pull the reins back on them a little.
A UKIP swing in the up and coming election, will send a message to CameronA Very Private Gentleman

Stop forever lying Cameron,you have renege on so many issues,and please do not even mention Labour ,time for a breath of fresh air let someone that will really help the British people do something a bought the appalling state we are in.give UKIP a chance they cannot do any worse only improve.

Stop forever lying Cameron,you have renege on so many issues,and please do not even mention Labour ,time for a breath of fresh air let someone that will really help the British people do something a bought the appalling state we are in.give UKIP a chance they cannot do any worse only improve.nontoeu

I think if the UKIP has a significant presence at European parliament they totally disrupt the whole thing with a bit of luck, they have to stand or the usual suspects will walk in and do nothing but count their money. Labour and Tory have completely misjudged the feelings of many voters who are tired and fed up with politicians making themselves millionaires in Europe, no wonder they want to stay in it. We've lost control of the UK, the assimilation has to stop.

I think if the UKIP has a significant presence at European parliament they totally disrupt the whole thing with a bit of luck, they have to stand or the usual suspects will walk in and do nothing but count their money. Labour and Tory have completely misjudged the feelings of many voters who are tired and fed up with politicians making themselves millionaires in Europe, no wonder they want to stay in it. We've lost control of the UK, the assimilation has to stop.Mervyn James

David cameron needs to drop Nick Clegg and his Lib Dems because they are a total liability as proved below

10 Issues concerning the Liberal Democrats that make them (IMHO) the laughing stock of Politics

1. Derek Osbourn- Long time leader of the KOT council who while in office was later found to be a proven ‘ring master’ of a paedophile group . Derek Osbourne is now serving a richly deserved jail sentence after being convicted as a paedophile and is a registered sex offender on the national database.
2. Nick Clegg being humiliated by Nigel Farage in the recent televised debates.
3. The Liberal Democrats betraying their traditional left wing voters by forming the CON-DEM Government with Cameron’s public school chums AKA the Conservative Party.
4. Under a Liberal Democrat Council for goodness knows how long all KOT residents now pay the highest Council Tax in London yet there are next to no public toilets in the Borough and no public parking for Motorcycles in New Malden – Pathetic!
5. Rose Theatre. Funded partially by the Liberal Democrat Council against the wishes of many a council tax payer in Kingston Upon Thames. The fayre served up is bland middle class rubbish deliberately aimed by a seemingly load of geriatric luvvies at alienating 90% of mainstream choice within the Borough. It must be obvious – use the facility for mainstream taste!
6. Cyril Smith – Another Liberal Democrat who appears to have been abusing young children. It seems to me the Liberal Democrat Party is a magnet to sexual deviants and perverts. Watch this space - it appears that portly Cyril may out-do Jimmy Saville?
7. Lord Renard- accused by his fellow female Liberal Democrat party members of abusing his power of office by touching them up on numerous occasions. Unfortunately for him not many takers (apparently - so the aforementioned ladies say)
8. Edward Davey’s hypocrisy proven by him removing from his website evidence of his long term stance against nuclear energy just prior to his recent massive U turn as part of the CON-DEMS. Come the next general election he will in any case be toast and mainly because all the left thinking voters in the borough are going to vote Tory. My view is that it is better to deal with an outright Tory than a Lib Dem traitor AKA our beloved (Not Anymore!) Member of parliament, the right deceitful (in my view) Edward Davey
9. Mike Hancock – Liberal Democrat MP in Portsmouth. I understand from the press he is going to probably face charges of sexually assaulting one of his constituents. Portsmouth Council already have, so I understand, held a damning internal enquiry. I suppose the upside for the Lib Dems is that it could prove to be a misunderstanding as was initially thought with Derek Osbourne
10. Finally there is the inconsequential former leader of the party who was a self confessed drunk. He was so second rate that I can only remember his first name …Charles ????. I suppose the current leader will go down in history as Nick Wotisname? – you know David Cameron’s stooge – you know the one who got ripped up on TV by Nigel Wotisname? Perhaps they were related

David cameron needs to drop Nick Clegg and his Lib Dems because they are a total liability as proved below
10 Issues concerning the Liberal Democrats that make them (IMHO) the laughing stock of Politics
1. Derek Osbourn- Long time leader of the KOT council who while in office was later found to be a proven ‘ring master’ of a paedophile group . Derek Osbourne is now serving a richly deserved jail sentence after being convicted as a paedophile and is a registered sex offender on the national database.
2. Nick Clegg being humiliated by Nigel Farage in the recent televised debates.
3. The Liberal Democrats betraying their traditional left wing voters by forming the CON-DEM Government with Cameron’s public school chums AKA the Conservative Party.
4. Under a Liberal Democrat Council for goodness knows how long all KOT residents now pay the highest Council Tax in London yet there are next to no public toilets in the Borough and no public parking for Motorcycles in New Malden – Pathetic!
5. Rose Theatre. Funded partially by the Liberal Democrat Council against the wishes of many a council tax payer in Kingston Upon Thames. The fayre served up is bland middle class rubbish deliberately aimed by a seemingly load of geriatric luvvies at alienating 90% of mainstream choice within the Borough. It must be obvious – use the facility for mainstream taste!
6. Cyril Smith – Another Liberal Democrat who appears to have been abusing young children. It seems to me the Liberal Democrat Party is a magnet to sexual deviants and perverts. Watch this space - it appears that portly Cyril may out-do Jimmy Saville?
7. Lord Renard- accused by his fellow female Liberal Democrat party members of abusing his power of office by touching them up on numerous occasions. Unfortunately for him not many takers (apparently - so the aforementioned ladies say)
8. Edward Davey’s hypocrisy proven by him removing from his website evidence of his long term stance against nuclear energy just prior to his recent massive U turn as part of the CON-DEMS. Come the next general election he will in any case be toast and mainly because all the left thinking voters in the borough are going to vote Tory. My view is that it is better to deal with an outright Tory than a Lib Dem traitor AKA our beloved (Not Anymore!) Member of parliament, the right deceitful (in my view) Edward Davey
9. Mike Hancock – Liberal Democrat MP in Portsmouth. I understand from the press he is going to probably face charges of sexually assaulting one of his constituents. Portsmouth Council already have, so I understand, held a damning internal enquiry. I suppose the upside for the Lib Dems is that it could prove to be a misunderstanding as was initially thought with Derek Osbourne
10. Finally there is the inconsequential former leader of the party who was a self confessed drunk. He was so second rate that I can only remember his first name …Charles ????. I suppose the current leader will go down in history as Nick Wotisname? – you know David Cameron’s stooge – you know the one who got ripped up on TV by Nigel Wotisname? Perhaps they were relatedVoice of Reason & U Know It

Wow,another "absolutely cast iron" pre-vote declaration,Mr Cameron,will you break the mould and keep this promise,why do you need to wait so long you said that you would give people a vote on the EU this time.

Wow,another "absolutely cast iron" pre-vote declaration,Mr Cameron,will you break the mould and keep this promise,why do you need to wait so long you said that you would give people a vote on the EU this time.nontoeu

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